Around Kurrimine Beach

The first thing you notice about beautiful Kurrimine Beach is all the old tractors – every home seems to have one. They are needed to launch boats from the tidal boat ramp at the northern end of the beach.

The quiet, long beach alongside King Reef is the main attraction and it’s here you can see manta rays trawling the beach shallows and turtles coming in to nest. There is a stinger net, children’s playground and picnic barbecue facilities at Taifalos Park. Absolute beachfront camping is available or choose from a resort, award-winning caravan parks, motel and holiday rentals. In the area, there is a winery, beachfront hotel, cafes, a fish and chip shop, post office and a service station with limited groceries.

Kurrimine is a favourite fishing spot where anglers have a choice of beach, estuary or reef fishing. Abundant species of fish and the famous painted crayfish are just waiting a couple of hundred metres offshore. There’s an all tide boat ramp close by at Maria Creek. This community has the largest fishing club in Queensland and holds a fishing competition each September that attracts more than 700 participants.

The Barnard Island Group National Park is close by and comprises seven islands Bresnahan, Hutchinson, Jessie, Kent and Lindquist (North Barnard islands) and Sisters and Stephens (South Barnard islands). Snorkel straight from the small sandy beaches over beautiful coral to see colourful fish, turtles and maybe a dugong. This area is a green zone so no fishing is allowed.

Kurrimine Beach is just half an hour from the towns of Innisfail, Tully and Mission Beach and is in a rain shadow area receiving much less rain than surrounding areas.

Cowley Beach

Travelling north, Cowley Beach is located further along The Great Green Way, just 20 minutes from Innisfail. Here you will find a quiet beachfront hamlet that has a kiosk and caravan park. Throw a line in Liverpool Creek for mangrove jack, barramundi, bream and flathead or use the boat ramp to head out to the Barnard Islands.